UK's Rolls-Royce Faces Backlash Over SMR Project Partnership with South Korea The UK aerospace and defense company Rolls-Royce has sparked a backlash over its decision to assign key processes of its small modular reactor (SMR) project to a South Korean firm, raising concerns about the 'Buy British' policy in the UK. According to a report by Yonhap News, citing the Financial Times, Rolls-Royce SMR signed a design contract in April with Great British Energy Nuclear to construct three SMRs in Wylfa, North Wales. The company has since selected Doosan Enerbility as a s June 5, 2026

Defense Ministry Announces Mid-Year Promotions for Senior Officers The Defense Ministry implemented its mid-year promotions for senior officers as of June 5, 2026. Army Major General Yoon Han-il (currently Chief of Planning and Management at Army Headquarters), Navy Major General Jo Chung-ho (currently Commander of the 1st Fleet), and Air Force Major General Park Hong-jae (currently Director of Operations Planning at the Joint Chiefs of Staff) have been promoted to Lieutenant General. They will assume the roles of Chief of Staff of the Ground Operations June 5, 2026

Prime Minister's Office Prepares for Upcoming Confirmation Hearing Amid speculation that President Lee Jae-myung will soon nominate a successor to Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, the Prime Minister's Office has reportedly formed a preparation team for the confirmation hearing. According to Yonhap News on June 5, the team will be led by Kim Young-soo, the first deputy chief of the Government Policy Coordination Office, and is expected to consist of around 30 members. The office will be located at the Financial Supervisory Service training center in Jongno-g June 5, 2026

Nvidia Announces AI Technology Center in South Korea Following Jensen Huang's Visit Nvidia has announced plans to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) technology center in South Korea, coinciding with CEO Jensen Huang's visit to the country. According to Yonhap News on June 5, Nvidia recently posted a job listing for a Physical AI Solutions Architect based in Seoul as part of its efforts to set up the AI technology center. The recruitment focuses on digital twins and robotics. The selected candidates will collaborate with key researchers from universities and joi June 5, 2026

Navy Reports Death of Non-Commissioned Officer During Training Near Yeonpyeong Island A non-commissioned officer died after sustaining injuries during training aboard a naval vessel operating near Yeonpyeong Island in the Yellow Sea.According to a report by Yonhap News Agency, the officer was found unconscious with head injuries during combat deployment training at approximately 1:36 p.m. on June 5. The officer reportedly had bleeding from the head.The Navy stated that after providing emergency care on-site, the officer was urgently transported to the National Military Medical Ce June 5, 2026

Xi Jinping to Visit North Korea for First Time in Seven Years North Korea is expected to provide the highest level of protocol for Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is visiting the country for the first time in seven years, showcasing the enduring North Korea-China alliance to the international community. The International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China announced on June 5 that Xi, who is also the General Secretary of the Communist Party, will visit North Korea as a state guest from June 8 to 9 at the inv June 5, 2026

Sunny Weather Expected on Memorial Day with Significant Temperature Variations On Saturday, June 6, Memorial Day, clear skies are expected across the country, with occasional clouds, particularly in the southern regions where early summer heat will be felt. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on June 5, the central region will be mostly clear but will gradually become overcast by night. The southern regions and Jeju Island will experience partly cloudy weather. In the morning, areas in the central region (excluding the eastern coast of Gangwon) may June 5, 2026

Election Commission Sends Additional Ballots to 67 Polling Places Amid Shortage As the ballot shortage crisis continues to spark controversy during the June 3 local elections, the National Election Commission (NEC) announced that it had sent additional ballots to 67 polling places nationwide due to shortages. On June 5, Yoon Jae-soo, head of the Election Policy Division at the NEC, stated during a briefing at the Gwacheon headquarters, "We sent additional ballots to 67 out of 14,288 polling places across the country." The highest number of shortages occurred in Seou June 5, 2026

Blue House Responds to Resignations of Election Commission Leaders Blue House officials expressed that they take the resignations of National Election Commission Chairman Noh Tae-ak and Secretary General Heo Cheol-hoon on June 5 seriously. A Blue House spokesperson stated, "The Election Commission must provide sufficient explanations that the public can accept regarding the significant concerns raised during the election process, along with strict follow-up measures." The spokesperson further emphasized the need for responsible actions to review overall electio June 5, 2026

Kim Do-eup, Sung Il-jong, and Jeong Jeom-sik Announce Candidacy for People Power Party Floor Leader On June 5, Song Eon-seok resigned as floor leader of the People Power Party, prompting the party to prepare for a new election on June 9. Candidates for the position include four-term lawmaker Kim Do-eup from Busan, three-term lawmakers Sung Il-jong from South Chungcheong, and Jeong Jeom-sik from South Gyeongsang.Kim Do-eup emphasized his commitment to party unity and neutrality. At a press conference, he stated, "I will do my utmost to restore harmony within the divided party and rebuild conser June 5, 2026